RR’s Report: Zeus and Europa

Part 3

Thebes 7, Greece, 1124BC

Greece is rescued from the yoke of the Maenads! Almost as soon as I filed my previous report, one of these evil henchwomen of Dionysus appeared near the lava flow, and proceeded to eat any and all goats she could get her greedy hands on. Thanks to careful replenishment of livestock, however, she never entered the city proper, and was soon sent packing by Achilles (the city having gathered 32 suits of armour and 16 wine, as well as constructing Athena’s Sanctuary, enough elite housing to provide 3 hoplite companies, and having stamped out all potential sources of unrest in the city). Soon after this, Eleusis made contact, having been in hiding for fear of the Maenads.

With the Maenad gone, Finance Minister Priam was able to produce a yearly profit of 11187dr, far surpassing all expectations, and almost certainly earning himself a bonus. Mayor Rodentos called his efforts on behalf of the city “heroic”, and declared that “the age of capitalism is upon us”. We await further developments, as reports are coming in that, even in her hour of triumph, Thebes is about to be threatened by a coalition of former allies. Let us all hope not.

Thebes 8, Greece, 1117BC

Alas, the reports were true. Within months of the first rumours surfacing, Thebes found itself at bitter war with a coalition led by Orchomenos, and supported by the treacherous Calydon and Argos. Hearing of this unholy alliance, Mayor Rodentos ordered Ares and the city’s troops to take Orchomenos, thus removing public enemy number one. This was achieved without great loss, but Calydon and Argos refused to come to terms. In response, the force which took Orchomenos was ordered to conquer Calydon (once again successfully). At this, it is thought that Argos dispatched a force to besiege Thebes, but it never arrived, for their home city was conquered just a month or so after they left. The leaderless army soon came to terms with the victorious Thebans.

Thebes itself has grown further in these past 7 years; the city now boasts a fine Sanctuary to Apollo to go alongside those of Ares, Aphrodite and Athena. May Thebes reign gloriously over Greece for many years to come!